by Lewis Ambrose

It is being reported by ESPN that Arsenal have finally secured a new contract deal for Brazilian Wellington Silva.

The left-footed winger signed for the club back in 2009 but is yet to appear for Arsenal as he has struggled to obtain a work permit. He has spent time on loan in Spain with Levante, Alcoyano, Ponferradina, Real Murcia and Almeria but is now finally able to embark on an Arsenal career.

Wellington’s current contract ends in 2016 but a new deal would see him tied to the club until 2020. He is likely to be loaned out to a Premier League club now he can play in this country where Arsenal would presumably monitor the progress of the 22 year-old closely.

Last season Wellington played 31 La Liga games for Almeria despite failing to score. He did provide six assists and picked up as many yellow cards.

The winger was not taken on Arsenal’s pre-season trip to Singapore with Arsène Wenger opting for homegrown talents Alex Iwobi and Chris Willock out wide. The fact that fair younger players were taken may not bode well for the Brazilian but, if he is loaned out, he has every chance of forcing himself into Wenger’s plans.

There is plenty of competition ahead of him at Arsenal and he would have to do well to impress. What a new contract would definitely ensure is that a fee would be brought in for the player if he were to go on and catch the eye during a loan spell, rather than losing him for nothing.